Delphinium plant named ‘COADELCHMO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Delphinium hybrid plant named ‘COADELCHMO’ which is characterized by basal foliage and a compound terminal raceme held within and above the foliage, flowers loosely held on long pedicels, flowers with an abundance of tepaloids, a unique color appearance of the perianth comprised of a large light yellow-green center, becoming progressively suffused with violet towards the outer whorls, with a light blue at the outer tepal whorl, and the stability and uniformity of these traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Delphinium disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘COADELCHMO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The claimed plant originated as a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation of Delphinium hybrid ‘Sweet Sensation’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,341). In the summer of 2012 the inventor discovered the mutation at a commercial greenhouse in Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, growing amongst a crop of Delphinium hybrid ‘Sweet Sensation’. The mutation was noted for its unique light pink flower color and was subsequently isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed.

Asexual Reproduction: In the spring of 2015, ‘COADELCHMO’ was first asexually reproduced in Glasgow, Scotland by way of softwood stem cuttings. The claimed plant was found to asexually reproduce in uniform and stable manner and four successive cycles of vegetative propagation have proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Delphinium plant, ‘COADELCHMO’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘COADELCHMO’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. ‘COADELCHMO’ exhibits basal foliage with a compound terminal         raceme held within and above the foliage; and     -   2. ‘COADELCHMO’ exhibits flowers loosely held on long pedicels         along the raceme; and     -   3. ‘COADELCHMO’ exhibits flowers with an abundance of tepaloids;         and     -   4. ‘COADELCHMO’ exhibits flowers with multiple whorls of tightly         held tepaloids at the center of the perianth, somewhat more         relaxed tepaloids towards the outer whorls of the perianth, and         an outer whorl of loosely held tepals; and     -   5. ‘COADELCHMO’ exhibits a unique color appearance of the         perianth comprised of a large light yellow-green center,         becoming progressively suffused with violet towards the outer         whorls, with a light blue at the outer tepal whorl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary ‘COADELCHMO’ plant at approximately 6 months of age grown in Glasgow, Scotland.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the foliage of ‘COADELCHMO’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the flowers of ‘COADELCHMO’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct Delphinium plant known as ‘COADELCHMO’. Plant observations were made on a 6 month-old plant growing in Glasgow, Scotland. The observed plant was field-grown in full exposure to natural sunlight, maintained with organic fertilizer and overhead irrigation. Chemical control of powdery mildew was utilized in production but no other pest or pathogen countermeasures were employed. For the purposes of these observations, the observed plant was harvested from the field and potted into a 19 cm nursery container. Observation data was recorded in July of 2020.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘COADELCHMO’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Sixth Edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘COADELCHMO’ and comparisons with the parent and most similar commercial cultivar are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Perennial plant with basal foliage and branched             flowering stems, bearing flowers arranged on terminal             racemes held within and above the foliage.         -   Plant profile.—Narrow ovate to ovate.         -   Height.—34.0 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 60.5 cm to             the top of the floral plane.         -   Spread.—34.0 cm.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Propagation.—Method — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to             initiate rooting — 6 weeks at an average ambient temperature             of 15 degrees Celsius. Time to produce flowering plant from             rooted cutting — Approximately 6 months in an 11 cm             container.         -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less             susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect Delphinium             sp.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 5             to 9 and temperatures ranging from minus 23 degrees Celsius             to 35 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; low             tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   Description.—A moderately dense network of relatively             shallow thin, fibrous feeder roots and deeper thick anchor             roots. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—No vegetative branches are present, however             branched flowering stems are present.         -   Flowering stem.—Quantity — Three. Attitude — Erect; near             vertical. Aspect — Generally rounded; slightly angular.             Strength — Strong. Length — 14.6 cm. Diameter — 0.7 cm.             Internode length — 1.65 cm. Texture — Young stems are             densely pubescent; hairs are 0.1 cm on average and are             colored a translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Mature             stems are glabrous. Luster — Matte, due to the presence of             epicuticular wax. Color, developing stems — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144B. Color, mature stems — Yellow-green,             nearest to a combination of RHS 146A and 146B, and covered             with an epicuticular wax which is colored nearest to in             between green and greyed-green, RHS 138B and 191A. Color at             the internodes — Yellow-green, nearest to a combination of             RHS 146A and 146B, and covered with an epicuticular wax             which is colored nearest to in between green and             greyed-green, RHS 138B and 191A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Quantity.—11 stem leaves.         -   Shape.—Palmate with a reniform outline; deeply lobed to near             cleft.         -   Lobes.—Depth of sinuses — Deep. Sinus orientation —             Divergent.         -   Aspect.—Flat and reflexed.         -   Attitude.—Outward.         -   Length.—12.7 cm.         -   Width.—17.8 cm.         -   Apex.—Narrowly acute.         -   Base.—Truncate to hastate; lobes free.         -   Margins.—Coarsely serrate; moderately to densely pubescent             with very short, soft hairs with an average length of 0.05             cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D.         -   Texture and pubescence, adaxial surface.—Smooth; main veins             and secondary veins are sparsely covered with very short,             soft hairs with an average length of 0.05 cm and colored             white, nearest to RHS NN155D.         -   Texture and pubescence, abaxial surface.—Smooth; moderately             to densely pubescent with very short, soft hairs with an             average length of 0.05 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS             NN155D.         -   Luster, adaxial surface.—Slightly glossy.         -   Luster, abaxial surface.—Matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS             144A and 146B. Mature leaf color, adaxial surface — Nearest             to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and 144A.             Mature leaf color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 147B.         -   Venation.—Type — Laciniate. Vein color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Vein color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B.         -   Petiole.—Length — 8.1 cm. Diameter — Petioles are flattened;             0.35 cm tall and 0.3 cm wide. Strength — Very strong.             Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth and very             sparsely covered with very short, soft hairs with an average             length of 0.015 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D.             Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Moderately glossy.             Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between             RHS 144A and 146A. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 146A.         -   Stipules.—Absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Compound terminal raceme with a central,             main raceme and multiple lateral racemes.         -   Natural flowering season.—Late summer in Glasgow, Scotland.         -   Time to flower or response time.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Height.—The entire compound raceme is 52.4 cm high, from the             lowest branching of the peduncle to the apex of the             inflorescence. The main, central raceme is 38.3 cm tall.         -   Diameter.—The entire compound raceme is 16.6 cm in diameter;             the main, central raceme is 9.6 cm in diameter.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—64 on the entire             compound raceme; 33 on the main raceme.         -   Peduncle.—Length — Approximately 36.4 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.5 cm. Attitude — Erect, in an average angle             of 0 degrees to the main stem. Strength — Strong. Texture —             Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Slightly glossy. Color —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A.         -   Bracts.—Quantity — Two bracts are present at the base of             each individual flower. Shape — Linear. Length — 1.3 cm, on             average. Width — 0.1 cm, on average. Apex — Narrowly acute.             Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture — Smooth and             moderately covered with short, soft hairs with an average             length of 0.1 mm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D.             Color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 146B. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Broad obovate.         -   Length.—Average of 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.2 cm tall and 1.2 cm wide.         -   Texture.—Smooth and moderately pubescent; soft white hairs             are approximately 0.08 cm long and colored a translucent             white, nearest to RHS NN155D.         -   Luster.—Very slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and darker towards             the apex, nearest to RHS 144A. -   Flower:     -   -   Type and form.—Rotate; double.         -   Aspect.—Outward.         -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Longevity of cut flowers.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.         -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.         -   Diameter.—Average of 3.9 cm.         -   Depth.—Average of 3.5 cm.         -   Perianth.—No distinct petals and sepals, only tepals and             tepaloids are present. Tepals — Quantity — 5 unfused tepals;             one dorsal, two lateral, and two lower tepals. Arrangement —             Rotate; single whorl. Attitude — Relaxed. Aspect —             Moderately concave. Length — Dorsal tepal — 2.3 cm. Lateral             tepals — 2.1 cm. Lower tepals — 2.2 cm. Width — Dorsal tepal             — 1.4 cm. Lateral tepals — 1.5 cm. Lower tepals — 1.15 cm.             Shape — Dorsal tepal is elliptic; lateral tepals are broad             obovate; lower tepals are obovate. Apex — Dorsal tepal is             acute; lateral and dorsal tepals are obtuse. Base — All             tepals are broad cuneate. Margin — All tepals are entire and             either not undulated or lightly undulated. Texture, luster             and pubescence of the upper surface — All tepals are             glabrous, moderately velvety, and matte. Texture, luster and             pubescence of the lower surface — All tepals are slightly             velvety, slightly glossy and moderately covered with very             short attenuate hairs with an average length of 0.15 cm and             colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Color when opening,             upper surface — Dorsal tepal — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS             195D; fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest RHS             146D; fading to blue-green towards the apex, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 122A and 122B. Lateral tepals — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS N148D, and lightly suffused with violet,             nearest to RHS 84C; fading to blue towards the margins and             apex, nearest to RHS 104C; fading to yellow-green towards             the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145A and 145B. Lower             tepals — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS N148D, and lightly             suffused with violet, nearest to RHS 84C; fading to blue             towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS 104C; fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145A and 145B. Color when opening, lower surface — Dorsal             tepal — Greyed-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 197D, 198A             and 198B; fading to yellow-green towards the base and apex,             nearest to a mixture of RHS 146A and 146B. Lateral tepals —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS N148D, and lightly suffused             with violet, nearest to RHS 84C; fading to blue towards the             margins and apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS 100B and 100C;             fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 145A and 145B. Lower tepals — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS N148D, and lightly suffused with violet,             nearest to RHS 84C; fading to blue towards the margins and             apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS 100B and 100C; fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145A and 145B. Color when fully opened, upper surface —             Dorsal tepal — Greyed-green, nearest to in between RHS 197D             and 198D; fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest             to a mixture of RHS 145A and 145B; fading to violet-blue             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 98B; distally margined             violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98D. Tepals do not fade with             age. Lateral tepals — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148D,             with a green central blotch, nearest to RHS 133B; fading             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145B and 145C, distally margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS             98C. Tepals do not fade with age. Lower tepals —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148D, with a green central             blotch, nearest to RHS 133B; fading yellow-green towards the             base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C, distally             margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C. Tepals do not fade             with age. Color when fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal             tepal — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 197D, and suffused             blue-green, nearest to RHS 122C; fading to yellow-green             towards the base, nearest to RHS 145D; fading to a darker             shade of yellow-green towards the apex, nearest to in             between RHS 146A and 146B. Tepals do not fade with age.             Lateral tepals — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, with a             darker central blotch, nearest to a mixture of RHS 146A and             146B; distally margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C.             Tepals do not fade with age. Lower tepals — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 145B, with a darker central blotch, nearest             to a mixture of RHS 146A and 146B; distally margined             violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C. Tepals do not fade with             age. Tepal venation color — Fully opened, upper surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148A. Fully opened, lower             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148A. Tepaloids —             Arrangement — Rotate; the unfused tepaloids are relatively             tightly-held in 7 whorls. Attitude — Erect. Aspect —             Strongly concave. Quantity — 45. Length — 1.8 cm. Width —             0.8 cm. Shape — Obovate to narrow obovate. Apex — Laciniate,             with acute lobe apices. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             slightly undulated. Texture, luster and pubescence of the             inner surface — Moderately velvety, glabrous and very             slightly glossy. Texture, luster and pubescence of the outer             surface — Slightly velvety, glabrous and slightly glossy.             Color when opening, upper surface — Outer tepaloids are             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D, and fading darker towards             the base, nearest to RHS 145C; apex is strongly suffused             with violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C. Inner tepaloids are             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C, and becoming darker             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 145B. Color when opening,             lower surface — Outer tepaloids are yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 145D, with a darker central blotch, nearest to RHS 145C;             apices of outer tepaloids are suffused with violet-blue,             nearest to RHS 98D. Inner tepaloids are yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 145C, and becoming darker towards the apex,             nearest to RHS 145B. Color when fully opened, upper surface             — Outer tepaloids are violet, nearest to RHS 84C, with a             yellow-green central band, nearest to RHS 145C; a green             central blotch is present, nearest to RHS 133C; distally             margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C. Inner tepaloids             are yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C, and becoming slightly             darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS 145B; inner             tepaloids are distally margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS             76C. Tepaloids do not fade with age. Color when fully             opened, lower surface — Outer tepaloids are violet, nearest             to RHS 84C, with a yellow-green central band, nearest to RHS             145C; a green central blotch is present, nearest to RHS             133C; distally margined violet-blue, nearest to RHS 98C.             Inner tepaloids are yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C, and             becoming slightly darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS             145B; inner tepaloids are distally margined violet-blue,             nearest to RHS 76C. Tepaloids do not fade with age. Tepaloid             venation color when fully opened, inner surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. Tepaloid venation color             when fully opened, outer surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 145A. Pedicels — Length — 4.9 cm. Diameter — 0.15 cm.             Angle — Average angle to peduncle axis is approximately 35             degrees. Strength — Moderately strong to strong. Texture —             Smooth and sparsely covered with very short, soft hairs             particularly towards the base. Hairs are an average length             of 0.1 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Luster —             Glossy. Color — Green, nearest to RHS 143A yet darker. Spurs             — Quantity — One dorsal tepal spur present. Length — 1.2 cm.             Diameter — 0.3 cm. Shape — Oblanceolate. Apex — Obtuse. Base             — Broad cuneate. Texture — Moderately rugose and glabrous.             Luster — Moderately glossy. Color — Greyed-green, nearest to             RHS 197B. -   Reproductive organs: All reproductive organs reduced to tepaloids.     An undeveloped ovary is present; colored green, nearest to RHS 143A. -   Fruit and seed: No fruiting has been observed.

Comparison With the Parent Plant

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COADELCHMO’ differ from the parent, Delphinium hybrid ‘Sweet Sensation’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,341) by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘COADELCHMO’ ‘Sweet Sensation’ Plant size. Smaller than ‘Sweet Larger than Sensation’. ‘COADELCHMO’. Abundance of Less abundant than ‘Sweet More abundant than foliage. Sensation’. ‘COADELCHMO’. Inflorescence Larger than ‘Sweet Smaller than size. Sensation’. ‘COADELCHMO’. General Flowers appear to be more Flowers appear to be more appearance loosely held on the raceme tightly held on the raceme of the due to longer flower due to shorter flower inflorescence. pedicels. pedicels. Abundance of More than ‘Sweet Fewer than flowers Sensation’. ‘COADELCHMO’. General Exhibits a larger light Dark purple centers, lightly coloration yellow-green center, suffused with light green, of the becoming progressively becoming purple towards flowers when suffused with violet towards the outer whorls, with dark fully opened. the outer whorls, with a blue outer whorls. light blue outer tepal whorl.

Comparison With the Most Similar Delphinium Cultivar Known to the Inventor

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COADELCHMO’ are most similar to the commercial cultivar, Delphinium hybrid ‘FLOCRYSDEL’ (European Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 38904). A comparison of ‘COADELCHMO’ with Delphinium ‘FLOCRYSDEL’ is described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘COADELCHMO’ ‘FLOCRYSDEL’ Plant size. Smaller than Larger than ‘FLOCRYSDEL’. ‘COADELCHMO’. Length of Shorter than Longer than flowering ‘FLOCRYSDEL’. ‘COADELCHMO’. stem. Inflorescence Smaller than Larger than size. ‘FLOCRYSDEL’. ‘COADELCHMO’. General Exhibits a larger light Exhibits a smaller light coloration yellow-green center, yellow-green center, of the becoming progressively becoming progressively flowers when suffused with violet suffused with violet-blue fully opened. towards the outer whorls, towards the outer whorls, with a light blue outer with a violet-blue outer tepal whorl. tepal whorl. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Delphinium hybrid plant named ‘COADELCHMO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 